DNA evidence leads to charges in year-old NW Side rape case

A waitress who had finished work was waiting for a cab on the Northwest Side when a man pulled her into his truck, beat and choked her until she lost consciousness and raped her, prosecutors said.

The alleged sex attack happened nearly a year ago in the Albany Park community area, but 39-year-old Moises Alcantara was only arrested Saturday morning, after DNA evidence from the crime was linked to his genetic fingerprint in the FBI's massive forensic database, prosecutors said.

Alcantara is charged with aggravated criminal sexual assault, and Cook County Judge Edward Harmening ordered him held on $475,000 bond today.

About 3:30 a.m. on March 20, 2011, the 32-year-old victim was waiting for a cab in the 5100 block of North Keating Avenue when Alcantara dragged her into his truck, punched her in the face repeatedly, pulled her hair and choked her, prosecutors said. She lost consciousness twice during the assault.

Alcantara raped the woman, prosecutors said, before stealing $100 from her purse, threatening to kill her and then letting her go.

The woman called police, and a rape kit was used to collect evidence. After the DNA linked Alcantara to the crime and he was arrested, the woman identified him as the rapist, prosecutors said.

Alcantara has been convicted previously of felony drug possession, among other crimes. Many of the profiles in the FBI's DNA database are from arrestees and convicts.

Alcantara, of the 4000 block of North Melrose Avenue in Chicago, is married with four children, said his lawyer, Michael McInerny.